More than 250 representatives of chess federations from different countries gathered at a tournament in Orsha
The XXIV Orsha-2026 International Chess Tournament brought together over 250 participants – representatives of the chess federations of Belarus, Russia, Ireland, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan. Even severe frosts did not hinder the masters of intellectual duels. It is noteworthy that more than 80 athletes are representatives of the Vitebsk region.
“The International Chess Tournament brings together the best masters of logic and strategy. This emphasizes the importance of chess as a sport that generates huge interest,” noted Anastasia Prokofieva, Deputy Chairperson of the Orsha District Executive Committee, during the opening ceremony.
The intellectual competitions are divided into several groups according to the Swiss system in 9 rounds: an open tournament with international rating calculation, a representatives' tournament, a master tournament, and four children's tournaments. A blitz tournament and a rapid tournament are also planned – open tournaments with FIDE rating calculation. Teams of 5 chess players and a coach, formed on a territorial basis, will compete in the team event. On January 21, a simultaneous exhibition game with international grandmasters will take place. This year, Grandmaster, Champion of the Moscow Region Alexander Moskalenko will play with adults, and International Grandmaster Rakhil Eydelson from Vitebsk will play with children.
“This is one of the largest international chess tournaments in the Republic of Belarus, which traditionally gathers participants of all ages. Over 24 years, it has gained authority in the chess community worldwide,” emphasized the chief arbiter of the competition, International Arbiter Anatoly Lebedev. “On January 25, during the grand closing ceremony of the tournament, the names of the winners will be announced.”
Nikolai Zarubitsky, Deputy Chairman of the Public Association "Belarusian Chess Federation," said that many chess players who participated in the international tournament in Orsha are now international masters and grandmasters, vice-champions, and world champions.
By the way, his son Vyacheslav Zarubitsky is an International Master and Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus, World Vice-Champion, and a member of the national chess team of the Republic of Belarus.
– In my childhood, I was seriously into athletics. The Soviet school used to give chess sets as prizes for winning competitions, – admitted the father of the renowned athlete. – I accumulated quite a few at home – I played myself, and Slava got seriously interested. That became the starting point for his journey into professional chess.
Safar Batyrov, an International Grandmaster from Turkmenistan, is in Orsha for the third time.
– It's a wonderful tournament where players of different generations, levels, and statuses gather, – shares the athlete. – Here, on one large platform, styles and approaches clash, and skill levels improve. It's also about communication and new contacts. I always enjoy coming to Belarus – the organization of competitions is always top-notch.
By the way, the youngest participant in the tournament is 5 years old, and the oldest is 70.
– I started playing chess at the age of three, just like my older brother, – said 10-year-old chess player Anastasia Pidzhakova from the Moscow region of the Russian Federation. – In this game, you need to think and try to win, to make things work out for you, and to set goals. It's like in real life – you set a goal and strive for it. This requires intellect, and in chess, you constantly develop it from one competition to another. For me, the most challenging part is when I face a strong opponent, and I don't understand how to build the right strategy. Yes, someone wins, someone loses, but that's not the main thing. The main thing is that you constantly train your brain, analyze, draw conclusions, and get a lot of positive emotions.